How to Avoid Razor Bumps (for Men and Women)
In the world of shaving, it would seem that bigger is better — the latest razors have 5 blades at last count. But do the extra blades make a difference?
A razor with 5 blades instead of 2 or 3 will give you a closer shave (although they feel like you’re shaving with a tiny vacuum cleaner head). Each blade cuts the hair another fraction of an inch as you pull it across your skin, actually finishing below the surface, which is why it feels so smooth. You can get a similarly close shave by shaving against the grain.
But how smooth is smooth enough?
In some cases, a super-close shave is not desirable. Many men have thick or curly hair in their beards. Shaving too close causes the tip of the hair to get trapped beneath the skin, so when the hair grows, it grows back inward, trapped under the skin. This creates a tender (and unattractive) acne-like razor bump called pseudofolliculitis barbae.
A similar problem occurs in women when they shave their bikini area. If you have this problem, then be sure to soften the hair well with warm water and shaving cream first, then shave in the direction that the hair is growing.
Shaving closer also does not make the hair grow back more slowly. This is true for men and for women’s legs as well — the hair grows at the same rate no matter how close you shave it. Women, though, can try Aveeno’s Positively Smooth Shower and Shave Cream or Moisturizing Lotion which have soy proteins that can inhibit hair growth, keeping your legs smoother for longer.
If you have problems with razor bumps, consider scaling down to a two blade razor and shaving only in the direction the hair is growing. In most instances, the difference in closeness will not be noticeable, and you will be much happier without the ingrown hairs. Plus with the money you’d save (up to $3.50 ea. for cartridges), you might just be able to afford a full tank of gas for your car this month.
Post written by Jeffrey Benabio, MD
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Interesting. I did not know that razor bumps were actually ingrown hairs. I don’t have that problem, so I guess I’ll stick with my old two blade razor.
Besides, I figured those 5-blade razors were just marketing hype.
Here’s a tip: I’ve found that Persona makes the best (sharpest) replacement cartridges. They’re cheaper than the Gillette or Shick blades and give you a very close comfortable shave. Almost like not having a blade in the thing at all.
By comparison Gillette blades are like shaving with a rusty spoon.
Dean-
I’ve never tried Persona blades; thanks for the tip!
I had problems with ingrown hairs from shaving for a long time. I recently have started to get rid of them by shaving the direction the hair grows and it has made a difference in just a couple of weeks. I actually picked this tip up by watching “Dirty Jobs” on Discovery, a great show. Mike Rowe was shaving a cow to perform a c-section on it and said he never shaves against the grain because it gives him razor bumps. I figured if its good enough for Mike Rowe its good enough for me.
Luke-
LOL. Thanks. I don’t think my job will make his show, though. Although, I have seen some pretty nasty feet…
Using a cornstarch based powder righter after shaving helps eliminate those pesky bumps, too (for the bikini area anyway).
I’ve found that the best shaving cream is any brand of cream rinse applied after several minutes in a hot runnig shower, shaved with a sharp blade, in the direction of the hair growth. No bumps ever !!!
SD-
Thanks for the tip.
Great post – didn’t know about the soy proteins. I wanted to add that for men, an even more economic, environmental, and nostalgic option could be to use an “old-fashioned” double-edge razor like Gillette used to make. They can be found on eBay, and some manufactures continue to make these razors today. Additionally, each blade is very inexpensive and creates very little waste (there’s no plastic cartridge to throw away when you’re done with the blade.)
i have been having problems with razor bumps on the bikini area even when i use veet how can i get rid of them?
You know… I used to get razor bumps, really annoying, and take a long time to get rid of. I now use and electric shaver instead of manual one. It’s not as close a shave, and you may need to shave a little bit more frequently because of this, but it’s much better than getting those pesky razor bumps, believe me.